I don't own Twilight.

It took me about an hour to figure out how to work the PDA properly. Mr. Mason ended up helping me figure it out a bit, then I was fine from there. Mr. Mason was working on his computer as I checked between his little black book and the PDA. I finished putting all his contacts in the PDA and put his first week's schedule in it. I could feel Mr. Mason's eyes examining me every once in a while. About the sixth time of him looking at me, I met his gaze. He dropped his gaze immediately as if he were embarrassed that he were caught.

We were in companionable silence for about an hour more before my stomach growled. Mr. Mason looked up, amusement forming on his lips. His perfect lips. "Is somebody hungry?" He asked.

I blushed crimson as Mr. Mason continued to chuckle. He stood up, "Come on. I'll buy you dinner."

I shook my head quickly, "Don't worry. It's not necessary. I think I've got some food at home." I was actually just afraid to go anywhere except at Mr. Mason's office and home. I think I had a drawback from what happened yesterday.

Mr. Mason met my fearful gaze evenly. "How about I cook for you?"

I looked at Mr. Mason confused. He wanted to cook for me? But I didn't want to go to his house. "How about we go back to my house then?"

Mr. Mason smiled at me encouragingly. "Sure."

I blushed, "We might have to stop by the grocery store before we go to my apartment though."

Mr. Mason gave me a meaningful look, "I thought you had something at home to eat?"

I blushed again, "I may have . . . exaggerated a little bit."

Mr. Mason let out a laugh. He then began shutting his computer down and gathering his things. I quickly put everything back in my bag and put my jacket on. Mr. Mason was already at the door to his office waiting for me. He was so fast! I scrambled after him, tripping on my own foot as I neared him. I expected to face plant into the door, but Mr. Mason reached his arm out at the last moment, catching me by my waist and pulling me safely to his chest. I rested my hand on his chest and let out a little gasp of surprise. We stood there for a moment before I slowly backed out of his arms, cheeks pink. Mr. Mason's cheeks were also pink, "You alright?" He asked. I nodded and said, "Are we going to get going?"

Mr. Mason nodded and led me to the elevators. Most of the lights were off, considering that everybody has already left for dinner. I stepped nervously farther away from Mr. Mason. I knew that he wouldn't hurt me, but it was just a natural instinct. Mr. Mason looked over at me, "Everything okay?" I nodded my head and smiled at him.

The elevator came and Mr. Mason and I stepped in. I stood a little closer to him now, getting over my stupid irrational feelings.

We made it to Mr. Mason's car, and like before, he opened the door for me. I smiled graciously at him and stepped inside.

Mr. Mason drove quickly again to the nearest store. We got out, got a cart and then headed inside. "So what are we cooking tonight?" I asked.

"I was thinking some pasta?" He asked. I nodded and smiled.

As we weaved through the isles, I kept noticing the longing looks Mr. Mason was getting from women that we walked by and the envious looks they were giving me. I let myself think, for just a moment, that he and I were just a couple getting ready for dinner. That we were together even. I pushed that ridiculous notion from my mind. Mr. Mason was my boss! It was highly inappropriate of me!

We finished grocery shopping and got all of our things stowed away in the trunk. Mr. Mason sped quickly down the street back to my apartment. We got our groceries up stairs and stowed away in the fridge. Mr. Mason then began asking me where pots were and dishes. I got everything out. He then began cooking. "Do you need any help?" I asked. Mr. Mason. He just ended up shooing me out of the kitchen. "Out! I'm cooking dinner!"

I protested, "Can't I do something?" I asked.

Mr. Mason sighed and said, "I guess you could set the table."

I jumped, up eager to help do something. I felt bad just letting him do all the work.

I got out the place mats, cutlery and some wine glasses to put either water in or wine. I thought that I should actually make it nice, since it was my boss after all, though everything else was unorthodox. I mean, who has their boss over to their apartment to cook for them? I was definitely feeling a bit awkward.

After I finished with my "job" I headed back into the kitchen. "Hey! I thought you were supposed to be setting the table. This is supposed to be a surprise!"

I laughed, "But I'm so bored!" I was shocked. I laughed?

Mr. Mason shook his head and said, "Well . . . alright. I guess you can stay inside your kitchen. I won't run you out of your own home."

I laughed and hoisted myself onto the counter top beside Mr. Mason. He was expertly chopping up a tomato for the sauce while checking the noodles. The sauce was also going on the stove. It smelled divine!

I dipped my finger into the sauce and licked it. Mr. Mason gave me a look. I just giggled again, "What? I couldn't help myself! It looked so good!"

Mr. Mason just kept staring at me. "It really is good! Here try some!" I dipped my finger into the sauce again and shoved it into his face. He moved at the last minute though, trying to get away, and I smudged it all over his nose. I just stared at me incredulously looking like a clown with a red nose. I laughed, "You look like a clown!"

He blushed crimson. Ha! I made Mr. Mason blush! Then there was a knock on the door. I hopped off the counter. "Hey! Come back here!" Mr. Mason shouted after me.

I just laughed again and skipped off towards the front door. I was seriously feeling elated. I yanked the front door open, but my smile stopped as I saw who it was. It was Jacob Black.

I scratched the back of my leg with my foot nervously, "What are you doing here?" I asked. It's been a while.

He was holding a bouquet of white daisies. I didn't like daisies that much. He offered them to me. I didn't take them.

"I just came to apologize." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I know that you're not ready to tell me what he did to you, but I just wanted you to . . ."

"Wait what?" I demanded, "I thought we went over this! He didn't do anything to me!"

"I know it was traumatic – " I cut him off again.

"Traumatic? What is wrong with you? It was the worst experience of my life! Why don't you believe me?"

"Just let me in and then we can talk some more." Jacob said trying to push his way past me into my home.

I tried to shove him out, "Get out! I don't want to talk to you! This is a bad time!"

Jacob shoved me aside and strode into the entryway. I scrambled and ran in front of him, "Jacob! Get out. I said this isn't a good time."

Jacob seemed to notice the nicely set table and wine glasses out. He turned and frowned at me, "Bella, what the hell is this?"

"You're not my boyfriend Jacob. I can have dinner with whoever I want. I want you to leave." I emphasized this by pushing him towards the open door. Jacob grabbed my wrists and yanked me close to him, "Bella, tell me what's going on."

I tried to pull away from him, but he held on tight. I could feel frustrated tears bubbling up, "Just let go and get out!" God. Mr. Mason is going to think I'm a mental case.

I heard sound from behind me. Oh god, it was him. "Bella? Is everything alright?"

I turned my head and met eyes with him. Shit, he probably saw that I was close to tears. I turned his glare at Jacob, "What the hell is going on?" He demanded. Great, Jacob just had to pick this night to come and harass me. I bet my dad sent him over here. They're so annoying.

Jacob released my wrists and took a step back, "None of your business. Who are you?"

Mr. Mason glared at Jacob, "That doesn't concern you. I think Bella wants you to leave."

I took a step away from Jacob. Jacob turned away from Mr. Mason and continued to speak to me, "I just wanted to talk to you about how the case is going." He said in a hushed tone.

"You're off the case." I said flatly, "You got reassigned after you messed up. You don't need to be talking to me about anything. Get out. I'm still mad at you."

"That's why I brought flowers." Jacob said shoving them in my face. Ugh. I took them and then threw them back in his face. "Bella!" he roared.

Mr. Mason then stepped between us, "You need to leave." He said.

"I'm really trying here Bella! You're not making it easy."

"I don't want you to do anything." I informed him.

"Who is this guy anyways? If you don't tell me, I'm going to have to phone your dad." Jacob said.

"I don't want to speak to him either. Both of you can leave me alone. But if you must know, this is my new boss . . ."

"Henry Mason." Mr. Mason finished for me.

Jacob seemed to glare at us both for a few more minutes, "I'll be seeing you around Bella. You'll be hearing from your father." Then he stepped out of my home and made his way down the hall. Mr. Mason slammed the door behind him, locking it.

"That guy is a prick." He eyed the trampled flowers that were still on the floor, "A boyfriend?" He asked.

I shook my head, "Hardly. I can't stand him. Thank you for helping me. I could've handled it."

Mr. Mason snorted, "I beg to disagree. He was getting out of line. Why does he seem to be under the impression that he's your caretaker?"

I sighed, "He's a cop and so is my dad so I think that Jacob's under the impression that we're destined or something. I think my dad also pressured him into checking up on me."

"Checking up on you?" Mr. Mason wrinkled his brow in confusion.

"I'm not really on speaking terms with my father as of yet. I'm still pretty angry with him." I sighed.

"May I ask why?" Mr. Mason asked, leading me towards the dinner table, where all the food was placed on two plates. We took our seats.

I explained what happened to me, how I was caught up in a bank robbery. How George died. I explained how they were still on the loose and how afraid I was to leave the house in fear of running in to one of them. Mr. Mason listened without interrupting. He had a sad expression on his face that was positively heart breaking.

"Well, when I was in the bank some of the robbers were saying some things. Well, anyways, Jacob, my father, and all the other police involved are trying to get one of them for rape."

Mr. Mason chocked on his wine that he was currently taking a sip out of. His brow wrinkled with concern again, "Did you?" He asked, worry lacing his voice.

I shook my head, letting out a shaky laugh, "No. He just scared me a bit, but nobody will believe me, and I know that what they did was horrible, and I lost a friend during the robbery, but I just can't let him get sent to jail for something he didn't do."

Mr. Mason frowned, "Why?" He asked taking a big bite of his pasta.

My eyes filled with tears and I took a big gulp of wine, "I don't know. I guess; he was just really nice to me. He helped me a lot. I know it sounds so stupid, but I just can't help it."

Mr. Mason was still looking at me incredulously, "Mr. Mason?" I asked.

"Please, call me . . . Henry." He hesitated, "And I understand completely."

"You do?" I asked with watery eyes.

Mr. Mason – Henry, nodded his head, "I get it. I understand what you're feeling."

"Really?"

"It's okay Bella." Henry stood up and walked to my side of the table. He held me close to him, "Everything will be okay. You have nothing to worry about. I'll protect you."

And for a second, I believed him.

There is chapter 10!

So I haven't updated in a while. School has been keeping me pretty busy. I won't be updating every day, like I did in the summer, maybe once or twice a week now. I'm doing my best. So sorry!

Please review everybody. I always love hearing from people who read my stories. It's exciting checking for reviews. It doesn't take very long. Oh, and the more reviews I get, the faster I'll update.

Thanks for reading! Keep your eyes out for the next chapter.

~greeneyes-99 (Nat)